Institutional News

Prof David Luke calls for stronger African trade ties

Prof David Luke, professor of Practice and strategic director of the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa, gave a thought-provoking public lecture hosted by the TRADE research focus area at the North-West University (NWU).

In his lecture Prof Luke emphasised the importance of regional trade and economic integration to Africa’s development. He stressed the necessity for African countries to trade more with one another rather than relying largely on external markets by drawing on lessons from a book he had edited, How Africa Trades.

Submitted on Tue, 02/25/2025 - 12:20

AICPA & CIMA’s Exclusive Academic Dinner: Accelerating leadership in finance education

On 18 February 2025, a distinguished group of academics gathered at the Fireroom, Montecasino, for the exclusive AICPA & CIMA event, Accelerate & Lead: Dinner with Academics. Hosted by Simon Bittlestone, FCMA, CGMA, President of CIMA and Chairman of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the evening provided an invaluable platform for thought-provoking discussions on the evolving landscape of financial education and the role of academic institutions in shaping future financial leaders.

Submitted on Tue, 02/25/2025 - 12:03

Dr Rassie Erasmus delivers guest lecture

He has a recipe for success, and he knows how to collect the trophies. One of South Africa’s favourite sons, Dr Rassie Erasmus, was a welcome sight back at the North-West University (NWU) when he delivered his first guest lecture since being awarded an honorary doctorate in 2024.

The lecture, entitled From the Sidelines to the Spotlight: Insights from a Back-to-Back World Cup Winning Coach, was hosted by the NWU’s Faculty of Health Sciences – School of Human Movement Sciences in partnership with NWU’s Centre for Human Health and Performance (CHHP).

Submitted on Tue, 02/25/2025 - 11:52

Siya Kolisi Residence officially opened

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Siya Kolisi Residence was officially opened on Monday, 24 February by South Africa’s iconic Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi.

His coach and mentor, Dr Rassie Erasmus, was also in attendance to unveil the university’s new Invictus Residence.

The Siya Kolisi Residence will primarily be used by students affiliated with the NWU Rugby Institute, with Invictus being a multi-sport residence.

Submitted on Mon, 02/24/2025 - 12:24

NWU named title sponsor for North West Dragons domestic games in 2025

The North-West University (NWU) emphasised its dedication to supporting the North West Dragons as the franchise’s title sponsor for the 2025 domestic games.

The partnership was officially unveiled during a special launch event held on 12 February at the NWU Potchefstroom Campus. North West Cricket (NWC) proudly revealed the team’s newly branded NWU kit, symbolising a strengthened relationship between the institution and the franchise.

Submitted on Thu, 02/20/2025 - 14:52

Postponement of Budget will have unintended consequences

The unprecedented decision by the Government of National Unity (GNU) Cabinet to postpone the Budget until 12 March because of disagreement over tax increases will inevitably have unintended consequences for South Africa’s political economy.

Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the NWU Business School, says if the eventual Budget in March turns out to be truly committed to growth and job creation (as was outlined in the recent GNU Medium Term Development Plan) the delay would have been worthwhile if the GNU gets agreed trade-offs and better outcomes for the economy as a whole.

Submitted on Thu, 02/20/2025 - 12:30

NWU students join prestigious incubation programme

Three North-West University (NWU) innovators have earned a place in the highly competitive Emerging30 Innovators Programme, an initiative led by the Young African Entrepreneurship Institute (YAEI). Their journey began during the 2024 Youth Innovation Challenge, held as part of the YAEI & ABSA Entrepreneurship Week on the Potchefstroom Campus.

This challenge provided a platform for young entrepreneurs to pitch their groundbreaking ideas, ultimately paving the way for their participation in the prestigious 12-month incubation programme.

Submitted on Thu, 02/20/2025 - 09:40

Education Association of South Africa awards Prof Elsa Mentz their medal of honour

A mindset change in favour of self-directed learning could solve many of the problems in education and possibly in the workplace too, according to award-winning North-West University (NWU) expert Prof Elsa Mentz.

The Education Association of South Africa (EASA) awarded Prof Mentz the EASA Medal of Honour during its annual conference at Sun City in January.

Prof Mentz is the director of the NWU Research Unit for Self-Directed Learning– believed to be the only such unit in the international education research community.

Submitted on Wed, 02/19/2025 - 14:39